And might I add: stop being so picky about the length of time people have been out of work. There are many legitimate reasons why we may be unemployed! For me, I had to quit my job and take full-time care of a terminally ill parent for three years. I didn't choose to do it- I HAD to.

For others, it may be a child or spouse that needs help. Or they may just be laid off at no fault of their own. Have a heart!

MiraclePlease in Commerce, Georgia said: Oh how I would love for these posts to be sent to EVERY hiring manager and agency in the world. I think it is way past time for these incompetent, often cruel, thoughtless, careless, dimwits to get it through their thick skulls at how they are acting towards potential employees.

Aren't they supposed to be PROFESSIONALS?

Well it sure doesn't seem like they are...for example: I was interviewed yesterday by the CFO of a Company, and when I said, "Hey, I'm going to take notes if you don't mind" he was like, "Oh no, you're taking notes? Why would you do that?" ALMOST reminded me of some kid getting busted smoking Weed....had that same "OOPS!" tone to his voice.

Will I get a call-back? NO, of course NOT: "Almighty CFO" of said Company PANICKED by me showing interest and ENTHUSIASM for the Job!

Seriously...are any HR Pro's reading this? All we're asking for is a little kindness and respect...as Job-seekers, we spend hours upon hours pressing clothes to wear, re-writing our Resumes to fit Job Descriptions, role-playing with ourselves about what to say/what not to say...and for all of that, we barely get a definitive "when" we'll be followed-up upon, if that at all....

Lyndsey in Littleton, Colorado said: I just wanted to say thank you to everyone that posted on how hard it is to get a job! I am so glad that I am not alone. I have applied to at least 50 positions in the past two months and I have not even recieved a phone call or email to say no thank you. I feel that the positions that I applied for were a good fit for me and I had all the qualifications that they were asking for, but I have heard not one damn thing! It is so FRUSTRATING! What am I doing wrong? I feel that I am wasting my time even sending my resume if I am not even going to get a response back one way or another. I JUST WANT TO KNOW EITHER YES OR NO! Why is that so hard? It's the courteous thing to do.

Well-said! Don't give up! I'm going to resort to blasting my resume out there to every Job Board from hereforth and beating the streets even if it kills me. It's McDonald's for me for sure, it seems like they're the only place "always hiring".

I was hired right before Christmas last year for a position and in the ad it had these points.
- Quickbooks experience is a plus
- Working in a CPA firm a real plus

I did not know Quickbooks, but I have worked in a CPA firm before. In the second interview the owner and Sr Accountant were told that I DID NOT have Quickbooks. The owner shrugged his shoulders and said no problem, and I asked the Sr Accountant if they were willing to train me, and the reply oh sure. Started the job and since the previous person was gone several weeks, they had some "busy work" to get caught up on. I shredded old papers, filed things that piled up, and did a monthly mailing. I asked if the names were already stored on the computer as this is a monthly mailing, the Sr. Accountant was out day one and the owner had no clue where is was and told me to "reconstruct one" with names he checked off the list. Then day 2 Sr Accountant knew where it was not in Word or Excel as we thought. I took notes when they showed me things that I would be doing in the future, and seemed like she was kind of discussted I "slowed" her down by doing so. Then day three she told me at the end of the day, that I was not a good fit, they NEVER even showed me Quickbooks yet. What kind of slap in the face was that...Merry Christmas. She told me that she didn't have the patience...that changed in a matter of a week? Every job has things to learn, show me once, I take notes so I don't have to ask you again. They were like you do this and this and you got it? I never had a job like that before. I ALWAYS took notes at the start and refered to them the next time to AVOID asking the same question. Nobody wants to train you is my complaint here.

And one more important thing- ENOUGH of the scams and bogus job postings that waste our time and insult our intelligence! I'm fed up with the listings of "jobs" that don't even exist, much less the ones that only are there to phish our personal info! People who prey on the most vulnerable don't deserve any kindness whatsoever!

If ever there was a law against posting an ad with no intention of hiring. I keep a log of all the interviews that I went on and the contact names. I would like to report all of the ones that repost again or just lie to candidtates.

Someone should ask on the interview when they ask us any more questions? Oh yeah I have one more for you. Is this a real job you are trying to fill or are you just inteviewing people because you want to look busy? I would like to hear the reaction to that one! It will catch them off guard that is for sure! If you are at an interview you for sure have no interest in after the interview we should try that one on them jsut to see their face!

well yes they do ask for gaps in ur employment, even if that is only a month that u were unemployed.What do they expect us to do to fill this gap. They themselves are not willing to hire us. I do agree that every job has its own dignity, but I hate and do not agree with the idea of working in mcdonalds or burgerking as a cleaner after obtaining a masters degree. I could have very well invested the money i spend on college in starting my own small scale business. I am an msw graduate and worked in a group home for 2 years earning 8 dollars per hour to not have a gap and to keep myself engaged. Now they say they need college level job experience. The group home job is only high school level job experience. What a waist of two years.

Persnifinue in Kennewick, Washington said: Amen to the posts here (except the spam)!

And might I add: stop being so picky about the length of time people have been out of work. There are many legitimate reasons why we may be unemployed! For me, I had to quit my job and take full-time care of a terminally ill parent for three years. I didn't choose to do it- I HAD to.

For others, it may be a child or spouse that needs help. Or they may just be laid off at no fault of their own. Have a heart!

I say everything that I've been coached to say regarding a Gap in my resume on those cutesy "helpful" Sites like eHow "dot" com. Yet, the grunts, squints, sighs, rubbing the back of their neck...it's like I shot the Pope or something, you'd think. My fiancee has luckily had his Job for over a Year and he does IT, and he doesn't mind supporting me, but I can't sleep at night from the stress anymore. My savings are almost gone, I don't have UEI. Everyone I know says "don't do it" as far as Fast Food goes, but I need $. I imagine I might never be able to be a Manager again at this rate (albeit I send out at least 6 well-crafted C.L.'s and Rez's a day to ads/job boards) but well, I'll be done with my technical licenses w/in the next 2 years, and I'm switching Careers. :(

What ever happened to on the job training? Employers expect you to have All the job skills as they don't want to provide any training. At one of my former jobs they hired 2 ladies that had absolutly no experience in Real Estate/Leasing/Construction. They got the job because they knew someone who worked in another department and they were refered to the hiring manager. They both received extensive training with the manager and other co workers who had patience. Both ladies were smart and quick learners, and after a year they learned so much on the job and were both very valuable employees. They received a chance the company trained them their way that company wanted things done. I have seen so many resumes at my former job from applicates who had no industry experience and some were hired and received great reviews and later moved up to be managers and mentor others. I just wish that employers would realize that a bright person can be trained especially when they are just a few years out of college. When the job market improves employers will not be soo picky or hesitate in hiring someone that is bright, we will be offers and take the first one that we are offered as we want to have a job just like the other 90% of the people.

Persnifinue in Kennewick, Washington said: Amen to the posts here (except the spam)!

And might I add: stop being so picky about the length of time people have been out of work. There are many legitimate reasons why we may be unemployed! For me, I had to quit my job and take full-time care of a terminally ill parent for three years. I didn't choose to do it- I HAD to.

For others, it may be a child or spouse that needs help. Or they may just be laid off at no fault of their own. Have a heart!

What a lot of job applicants do not know and need to is if you have
been out of work for 4 months or more employers will pass over you
for someone with less unemployed time.
Also if you have collected unemployment employers are not interested in you.
Simple things like this most job applicants are not aware of.
Your local unemployment office is a joke their so busy in-fighting
they don't have time to find you a job.

My unemployment office doesn't even pretend to find you a job. They offer telephones and computers. This I have at home. When you ask the people working there questions they say they are not EDD but EDD rents the office from them. Also being in my late 50's I've asked EDD if they have any programs for retraining etc. They said no. Also I asked if I went and got my own training what would happen. They said they would cancel my Unemployment unless they approved it. I asked what will you approve? They said for me to apply to whatever and then they would contact the school and then let me know if approved but they would not tell me anything in advance. And while I'm waiting for their approval I would NOT be receiving my unemployment check. Is this a screwed up system or what??????????

Personally, it gripes me to no end the way they uncompassionate jerks word their rejection letters. I graduated with 3.6 in accounting and have 10 years experience. Yet companies are sending me rejection letters as to how my skills are inadequate and they have chosen somone that best fits their needs. Is that not like kicking someone when they are down?

BurnedoutRN in Atlanta, Georgia said: I would like to add to Fed Up's post the following:

Don't make promises you can't keep.

STOP posting ads for FILLED positions over AND over again.

And, last (but not least), treat us with the SAME dignity and respect that you expect of your job candidates.

Is that too much to ask? We don't think so.

Sadly, a basic level of respect and manners are optional features with employers! LOL Look at me talk about employer features, like I would add on car features!

My general rule of thumb is treat others well, even when they are disrespectful, irate, can't provide straight answers and are nasty to you. Be the better person and show class, grace and manners, even when they don't.

MiraclePlease in Commerce, Georgia said: Oh how I would love for these posts to be sent to EVERY hiring manager and agency in the world. I think it is way past time for these incompetent, often cruel, thoughtless, careless, dimwits to get it through their thick skulls at how they are acting towards potential employees.

Aren't they supposed to be PROFESSIONALS?

There's a saying that goes, "Part of having a title, is acting the title......" Just because someone claims to be professional, doesn't mean they are. Actions speak louder than words, friends.
If you can believe it, I once worked for an employer a long long time ago who wore a manager name tag. When customers, and employees, including me sought his assistance in general matters, he proclaimed he "wasn't the manager". I'm thinking, "So. Are you just wearing that title for entertainment purposes? What is the explanation? Because I have 20/20 and clearly seen "manager" on your name tag, sir."

Erin Myers in Reseda, California said: I take notes too, I do, I'm the same way, that way they ONLY have to tell me ONCE, and then I have everything written down so I "have it".

Dude, I've done EVERYTHING I can in INTERVIEWS:

Worn a suit, not worn a suit. Taken notes, not taken notes. Spoke up and sold myself, not sold as heavily, acted humble, stood on my accomplishments. Worn my glasses, not worn them. Worn perfume, not worn perfume. had my hair up, had my hair down. Laughed at jokes, stayed serious. Been myself, and repressed myself...NOTHING IS WORKING.....IT'S H**L OUT THERE. : (

Okay, yes, but did you, did you, sing, dance, juggle like a circus performance entertainer and getting into stage costume for the employer? Just Joking! (wink)

My mom's advice to you for next weeks job application approach: She theorizes that employers don't want normal, professionals who are well groomed, decent and friendly. So she suggests you go in with ratty, unwashed hair, a tongue, eyebrow or lip ring, a dirty t-shirt with a chili stain on the front and pants on that are 20 sizes too big to increase your chances of impressing an employer. She says, "Stop brushing your teeth, taking a shower, and grooming yourself nicely. You may be trying to hard."

It's pretty much a yay or nay deal. It's like watchu see is watchu get. Take it or leave it. As for these employers who focus on domestic chicken squabbles and petty issues, I say, "You don't seem too motivated to me to achieve any real goals. You seem more focused on unimportant, trivial, petty matters. You're missing out on high quality employees, who are ambitious, friendly, high achievers and have positive attitudes....."

Erin Myers in Reseda, California said: Well it sure doesn't seem like they are...for example: I was interviewed yesterday by the CFO of a Company, and when I said, "Hey, I'm going to take notes if you don't mind" he was like, "Oh no, you're taking notes? Why would you do that?" ALMOST reminded me of some kid getting busted smoking Weed....had that same "OOPS!" tone to his voice.

Will I get a call-back? NO, of course NOT: "Almighty CFO" of said Company PANICKED by me showing interest and ENTHUSIASM for the Job!

Seriously...are any HR Pro's reading this? All we're asking for is a little kindness and respect...as Job-seekers, we spend hours upon hours pressing clothes to wear, re-writing our Resumes to fit Job Descriptions, role-playing with ourselves about what to say/what not to say...and for all of that, we barely get a definitive "when" we'll be followed-up upon, if that at all....

VERY DISAPPOINTING!!

OOOkay. First these people complain that job applicants don't express any interest, motivation or ambition, but yet when someone does, they are offended and we are told it's wrong to make a basic follow up contact with potential employers?

After listening to this circus for 2+ years I'm like, "I hope someone has my dream job. I've never been through so much grief and mental abuse in my entire life."

MiraclePlease in Commerce, Georgia said: Who are these so called PROFESSIONALS looking for? Are they looking for perfection? It sure seems that way. There is NO excuse for this careless and callous act these people are putting forth. If you have a bachelors degree they want a masters. If you have a masters they want a PH.D. Heck if you had EVERYTHING they wanted they would still come up with some other lame criteria in which you would absolutely have to have in order to get a job. What's next? Blood samples? Do we need to have a blue and green eye?

YOU PROFESSIONALS OUT THERE: WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM US? WHY IS OUR BEST NOT ENOUGH FOR YOU? WHY DO YOU NOT LET YOUR CANDIDATES KNOW (AFTER AN IN PERSON INTERVIEW) WHETHER OR NOT THEY HAVE THE JOB?

I would love to know what kind of supreme being you are looking for.

You raise a good point! You know it's bad when high achievers, and very bright, ambitious, motivated people with positive attitudes are now arguing with employers!

shoequeen in Plymouth, Minnesota said: What ever happened to on the job training? Employers expect you to have All the job skills as they don't want to provide any training. At one of my former jobs they hired 2 ladies that had absolutly no experience in Real Estate/Leasing/Construction. They got the job because they knew someone who worked in another department and they were refered to the hiring manager. They both received extensive training with the manager and other co workers who had patience. Both ladies were smart and quick learners, and after a year they learned so much on the job and were both very valuable employees. They received a chance the company trained them their way that company wanted things done. I have seen so many resumes at my former job from applicates who had no industry experience and some were hired and received great reviews and later moved up to be managers and mentor others. I just wish that employers would realize that a bright person can be trained especially when they are just a few years out of college. When the job market improves employers will not be soo picky or hesitate in hiring someone that is bright, we will be offers and take the first one that we are offered as we want to have a job just like the other 90% of the people.

I agree! Why can't bright people with the right attitude be trained on the job? It just seems like some companies and people have attitude problems and don't want to be apart of another person's success.

Lyndsey in Littleton, Colorado said: I just wanted to say thank you to everyone that posted on how hard it is to get a job! I am so glad that I am not alone. I have applied to at least 50 positions in the past two months and I have not even recieved a phone call or email to say no thank you. I feel that the positions that I applied for were a good fit for me and I had all the qualifications that they were asking for, but I have heard not one damn thing! It is so FRUSTRATING! What am I doing wrong? I feel that I am wasting my time even sending my resume if I am not even going to get a response back one way or another. I JUST WANT TO KNOW EITHER YES OR NO! Why is that so hard? It's the courteous thing to do.

All these people talk about job applicants need to have manners, common courtesy and respect for employers. What about actual employers having actual manners, common courtesy and respect for people? I've seen some pretty trash things including employers setting up interviews and then the person interviewing, wasn't there!

>>>And, for the love of all that is holy, is it too much to ask that you follow up with *some* kind of communication for those lucky people who actually make it into an interview with you? A simple "thanks, but no thanks" will do. It is just downright cruel to keep people wondering for weeks on end<<<

I agree there seems to be some communication/feedback loop issues going on! My general rule of thumb being unemployed and job seeking is, I do my part and follow common manners/courtesy practices/what I should be doing, even when other people and organizations aren't! Recently when I was contacted by email and a company told me they couldn't find a way to reach me for an interview when I listed 2 phone numbers, a physical address and an email address on a very standard resume, I'm like, "Wow. But, didn't you just now contact me? That's like me saying I can't find the local unemployment/workforce training center and they clearly display numerous phone numerous, a physical address, and contact email addresses. How dumb. Some of you employers really expect me to believe you had that much extremely basic, straight forward information in front of you and couldn't figure out how to analyze it and figure out what to do, or how to make basic contact with someone? Someone get the shovel, the BS is getting deep, friends......"

Bronco Billy said: I agree you get called in for an interview and that's the last
you ever hear of job.
I'v gotten showed around a lot,but in the end I never got the job.
They HR Mng apparently are trained to stroke the applicant and
then boot them out the door by the old sayings of:Well we have someother job applicants we have to interview or oldie but a goody
"We'll call you" Don't hold your breath for that call.
I have retired from 2 jobs with pensions have been in 3 different
professions with good work history and references still young
in my 60's and want just PT work yet cannot even get hired on
at a McDonalds Rest PT.
Seniors Need Not Apply here is want companies should put in job
ad's or doors of their business.

Okay....Some of these employers are total BS. They are more interested in "showing the people around" (like a tour guide leading a travel safari group) than seriously discussing actual employment (what the people came in to discuss in the first place?).

[QUOTE who="simonmsw83 in Iselin, New Jersey said: well yes they do ask for gaps in ur employment, even if that is only a month that u were unemployed.What do they expect us to do to fill this gap. They themselves are not willing to hire us. I do agree that every job has its own dignity, but I hate and do not agree with the idea of working in mcdonalds or burgerking as a cleaner after obtaining a masters degree. I could have very well invested the money i spend on college in starting my own small scale business. I am an msw graduate and worked in a group home for 2 years earning 8 dollars per hour to not have a gap and to keep myself engaged. Now they say they need college level job experience. The group home job is only high school level job experience. What a waist of two years."

>>>>>>>How sad for people going through all this educational training and to not even recieve an entry level, moderately paying job in their chosen profession. BK, KFC, or Mickey D's are their employment/dream job choices?Yuck!<<<<<<<

Discusted Candidate in Chicago, Illinois said: I have employers ask me so what have you been doing for the past 7 months? Talking to people like you who waste my time. They make fun of you in the interview, by asking such questions as what you would do during your down time. Surf the web? Why are you looking to hire if there is going to be down time?

Oh yeah its now Tuesday, we will be interviewing candidtates till Friday, then be making a decision early next week...I guess that decision is to repost the ad on Careerbuilder and get another 500 resumes because NONE of the 500 you already got are smart enough to handle all the stress that this job has.

Some of these employers seem like they have really low self esteem to just badger, mentally abuse and make fun of the hobbies and interests of very nice people. I'd be like, "Numerous. Including participating in charitable functions that actually are productive, benefit this community and do something productive. I guess I'm just not into getting an emotional high by making fun of, picking on, creating problems for or abusing other people to provide a quick boost my self-esteem or my status in this community."

I actually had nasty co-workers recently tell me I shouldn't socialize or interact with people. I'm thinking, "People like you aren't going in where in your life or career and have extremely low self esteem problems. In fact, you don't have anything to offer other people(except your mental abuse/nasty personality), which explains why you make up lies and file frivolous claims against high achievers, and waste the time of state public officials, including the labor department to attract attention to yourselves."

Discusted Candidate in Chicago, Illinois said: If ever there was a law against posting an ad with no intention of hiring. I keep a log of all the interviews that I went on and the contact names. I would like to report all of the ones that repost again or just lie to candidtates.

Someone should ask on the interview when they ask us any more questions? Oh yeah I have one more for you. Is this a real job you are trying to fill or are you just inteviewing people because you want to look busy? I would like to hear the reaction to that one! It will catch them off guard that is for sure! If you are at an interview you for sure have no interest in after the interview we should try that one on them jsut to see their face!

I love the "or are you interviewing people because you want to look busy?" On some days, it really does make you wonder!

I just wanted to add that I feel that a lot of job seekers are doing all the right things. It's these incompetent employers that are doing the wrong things and not being held accountable for their actions.

In all honesty, I think that employer's just don't have the money -- albeit business is down everywhere and many of them are just trying to see if they can exploit the desperate times right now.

Many simply stick an ad in somewhere, especially somewhere online where the cost is nothing or minimal, trolling to see what they hook on their line. Is it better than what they have? Will this new hire except more responsibility and less pay or benefits? Can we get rid of our deadwood and consolidate two jobs into one?

Either way, we the job seekers lose, because we'll get hired for lower rates than what we know we're worth and for a boatload of more responsibility.

Worse, is that the number of attrition/replacement type jobs is low to the number of seekers out there. Its like being on a merry-go-round where the employer might stop the thing for a minute, we all preen hoping to be plucked and then the thing all starts up again, with people getting on and off it all the time.

Whenever you advertise for jobs in the papers, please do away with this "we're just taking names and numbers" and you don't get to me. Or whenever I ask to speak to a specific person and you won't me put me through to him or her.

Staffing agencies: Go back to the way it was 15 or even 20, 25 years ago, when you can simply make an appointment and come in and register for work. Why do you have to see resumes first? You've literally become the Human Resources Department for every company there is.

Stop listing qualifications for the "perfect" employee! You want somebody to come in there and "hit the ground running." You don't want to take time and train somebody. You want a perfectionist! How are people going to get experience if they don't want to take the time and train them? We are human beings: and not machines!

Taking names that sounds like a restaurant that is crowded and they are taking names to seat you. Tell the agency this is not Denny's!

Problem with the staffing agencies is they post tons of fake jobs on the boards just look at the company names and all you see is Kelly temps, Robert Half etc. Those are the only companies hiring? Employers could go through the boards themselves to find resumes. What did agencies do 30 years ago when we did not have the internet? They survived and did very well then. When an employer had an opening they had the number to call. Now they don't need it, as agencies are always hounding them.

I am a older unemployed person who worked in offices for the past 30 years. I have been unemployed for a year now. While unemployed my son had me watch my grandchildren which I love to do. I joined a website hooking up people looking for child care and people wanting to care for children. There is a real market out there for people to do this and the pay is comparable to what companies want to pay. I also find people are looking for mature individuals to watch their children. I enjoy being able to take walks outside. Not deal with office politics and have little ones give back in hugs and appreciation a hell of a lot more than grouchy, stressed out bosses. I am not posting the website because I don't want people to think I'm trying to push a website. I just want older people to see other options.

Hello everyone! I'm so excited to finally, be moving forward towards seriously launching an actual, productive work related training project and will be speaking to community training project coodinators tommorrow! If other standard companies in this community want to hire garbage and women who aren't properly attired or women with nasty attitudes, they can. I don't even believe me and my mom went shopping today and seen employees in dirty T-shirts, with duck tape on them, ratty hair and no makeup. Yet, I have quite a bit to offer in the personality area, I dress/attire myself decently, am well groomed, wear makeup and have decent hair, have excellent references, a positive, team attitude and a desire to achieve big things, yet day after day, after day, I struggle to locate basic cooperation for a job from employers in this community for employment (but they can set aside time for slobs and other less than professional, sometimes rude, individuals?)........BS! It's like pulling wisdom teeth from some of these employers. I could easily be working in a public service sector, government or for a professional business office environment, (including doctor or lawyer type settings). I feel big changes happening for me in 2010! I will keep everyone updated on my status.

Are You Serious in Denver, Colorado said: Hello everyone! I'm so excited to finally, be moving forward towards seriously launching an actual, productive work related training project and will be speaking to community training project coodinators tommorrow! If other standard companies in this community want to hire garbage and women who aren't properly attired or women with nasty attitudes, they can. I don't even believe me and my mom went shopping today and seen employees in dirty T-shirts, with duck tape on them, ratty hair and no makeup. Yet, I have quite a bit to offer in the personality area, I dress/attire myself decently, am well groomed, wear makeup and have decent hair, have excellent references, a positive, team attitude and a desire to achieve big things, yet day after day, after day, I struggle to locate basic cooperation for a job from employers in this community for employment (but they can set aside time for slobs and other less than professional, sometimes rude, individuals?)........BS! It's like pulling wisdom teeth from some of these employers. I could easily be working in a public service sector, government or for a professional business office environment, (including doctor or lawyer type settings). I feel big changes happening for me in 2010! I will keep everyone updated on my status.

Discusted Candidate in Chicago, Illinois said: Taking names that sounds like a restaurant that is crowded and they are taking names to seat you. Tell the agency this is not Denny's!

Problem with the staffing agencies is they post tons of fake jobs on the boards just look at the company names and all you see is Kelly temps, Robert Half etc. Those are the only companies hiring? Employers could go through the boards themselves to find resumes. What did agencies do 30 years ago when we did not have the internet? They survived and did very well then. When an employer had an opening they had the number to call. Now they don't need it, as agencies are always hounding them.

When you say I'll hear back from you, ACTUALLY CONTACT ME BACK, EVEN IF IT IS FOR A REJECTION. Yes, as it has been said numerous Times here to me and to others, NO, I do NOT wait around for a person to contact me back..I have since learned my Lesson; however...it would be nice to know.

I'm pleased with my recent progress! I get my good dress/attire taste from the mother and grandmother, and like them, I do take the time to attire myself nicely. In fact they both either take me shopping to have nice clothes for work or providing me funding to do shop for nice clothes/hair/makeup. When I put forth all this effort to look nice and then employers claim they can't find nicely dressed women with positive attitudes to work, but then they turn around and hire "ladies" with poor attitudes/work ethic, who show up ungroomed, with hygeine problems and are inappropriately dressed/things hanging out, and in some cases like slobs with holy, ducktaped and/or dirty clothes. I hate to be blunt, but some of these people look like they simply rolled out of bed and put no effort into their working/personal appearance. I have lost respect for HR at many companies in this community. You're thinking, "Shame on you. For over 2+ years, nicely attired, women with great personalities, and positive, can-do, team attitudes, waited and waited and waited and waited inappropriately on you for a job response only to observe that you hired loosers that sport dirty, nasty, or ducktaped clothes to work? Do you even have a conscience at all?"

I love beautiful clothes! I count myself fortunate though, that I'm one of the few that can look nice in a work setting including casual friday wear.

Some of these folks are truly pushing the "casual" line, into "slob". There are days when I look at those running places and I'm like, "So are you telling me if I look like a dirty slob, and wear chili stained/dirty or ducktaped t-shirts and holy jeans, show up with ratty hair and no makeup, then, I will be a suitable employee for you? I get so sick looking at many of you employers, and to think you are supposed to be leaders and role models and setting the standard in this community."

MiraclePlease in Commerce, Georgia said: They should be fined for wasting people's time when they have no intention of hiring. Some of these companies have totally flipped out and lost all professionalism.

Hi there! I'm just trying to be of positive assistance today and help you bypass the abusive behavior, domestic chicken squabbling/arguing and serious mental problems of some of these "employers" in your community.

I was pleasantly surprised when I visited my county's workforce center and looked further into paid training/on the job work programs. You should see what is available where you live at your county workforce center. The staff I recently spoke to were very professional, helpful, friendly and prompt (as it should be when you go in to obtain employment from any employer)! I can't wait to see what their offerings are. I can already tell they are seriously taking an active interest in my success and want to link me up with those who are equally ambitious, professional and geared towards engaging in productive activities/goals, in a positive work environment, as I am.

Are You Serious in Denver, Colorado said: Hi there! I'm just trying to be of positive assistance today and help you bypass the abusive behavior, domestic chicken squabbling/arguing and serious mental problems of some of these "employers" in your community.

I was pleasantly surprised when I visited my county's workforce center and looked further into paid training/on the job work programs. You should see what is available where you live at your county workforce center. The staff I recently spoke to were very professional, helpful, friendly and prompt (as it should be when you go in to obtain employment from any employer)! I can't wait to see what their offerings are. I can already tell they are seriously taking an active interest in my success and want to link me up with those who are equally ambitious, professional and geared towards engaging in productive activities/goals, in a positive work environment, as I am.

MiraclePlease in Commerce, Georgia said: They should be fined for wasting people's time when they have no intention of hiring. Some of these companies have totally flipped out and lost all professionalism.

Psst! There's an expression that goes, "He or She isn't "dating material" ", well some of these employers aren't "Serious Employer Material". Recently I was like, "How is it that some of you employers can hire "ladies" who dress like total slobs, no hair or makeup did, who look like they've rolled out of bed, even, who are poorly dressed/groomed? And recently I observed one "lady" working for an organization wearing a dirty t-shirt with ducktape to a job closely working with the public in a public setting, but yet I take the time to be professional, well dressed and present an attractive image and can't obtain work? BS. This right here is a professional business, government or charitable organization level employee."

Erin, let us know what you find out. I am in Van Nuys and called EDD and they said they had not work/training programs and the Work Source Center on Sepulveda and Sherman Way said EDD just rents space from them and other than the computers, phones and fax machines there was nothing they could do to help. Let me know because my unemployment is running out in a couple of weeks

Janet in North Hollywood, California said: Erin, let us know what you find out. I am in Van Nuys and called EDD and they said they had not work/training programs and the Work Source Center on Sepulveda and Sherman Way said EDD just rents space from them and other than the computers, phones and fax machines there was nothing they could do to help. Let me know because my unemployment is running out in a couple of weeks

Well, I won't be able to do anything formally until Monday, but I will let you know.

My favorite it comment is "you live too far away". I've hear that more times than I can count. It seems like you have to lie to get a job anymore. ...And to these potential "employers" out there - Don't you lie either during the job search process.

One of the first interviews I had was with a Java "Architect" who flat out lied and told me about a portion of the language that was going to go away (that Vector classes were deprecated for the curious). He was insistent to the point where the rest of the interviews (4 people in 3 hours didn't go well).
Maybe I should have just blown it of, but I don't carry Java references with me to interviews.

I had a phone screen with a different company, and the hiring manager told me that 57 miles each way was too far for me to drive to work. The same hiring manager also questioned why I was laid off (work force reduction) - he accused me of lying. This "manager also wanted to know why I changed majors in college (20 years past).

This is a pretty good sampling of what I've run into. Both of these companies are in the Fortune 500.

I was a single mother who went to school and had to change majors twice, had to drop out of school to take care of my kids so I never finished with a degree and have had a spite of unskilled low wage jobs. I've also gained skills in other areas in an effort to make up lost time building a career, been self employed in the trades, what's worse is the trade I learned and am good at is a non-traditional for women and the discrimination is rampant and shameless.

I know for a fact that I will not get a job until the economy gets going hot again and every other macho-man A-Hole from the best to worst is hired first. I will probably be underemployed/self employed for years to come. Its a given.

Ktalbert in Manchester, New Hampshire said: I was a single mother who went to school and had to change majors twice, had to drop out of school to take care of my kids so I never finished with a degree and have had a spite of unskilled low wage jobs. I've also gained skills in other areas in an effort to make up lost time building a career, been self employed in the trades, what's worse is the trade I learned and am good at is a non-traditional for women and the discrimination is rampant and shameless.

I know for a fact that I will not get a job until the economy gets going hot again and every other macho-man A-Hole from the best to worst is hired first. I will probably be underemployed/self employed for years to come. Its a given.

I laud you for going strong despite discrimination. I am almost 40 and I, along with many here, are experiencing Ageism as well. It's shameful. I've also noticed that commute distance is a HUGE factor for many Companies now; anything over 10 miles each way, I get crap for "Are you sure you can travel that far?"

Thanks for the support, yes agiesm is huge as well...any excuse at this point I think. What I get in the trades, is "do you have a truck?"

Well yes, I have a truck and a barnfull of tools, but if I don't get a damn job soon, that truck is going to rot in the driveway uninspectable and not roadworthy in no time and I'll be pawning my tools to pay my rent. Its ridiculous. Can you get to work? Oh? You can...well let me see...in a truck...ok....in a truck with a box?....ok....

Its like they are wrangling to eliminate among the billizions of applicants.

"Its our chance, we'll get that non reproducing, never getting sick, youngish mature, know everything that will except all our training and surrender to our authority but will delegate and have leadership skills...